School Summary

The Oratory School


Boys: 266
Girls: 92
Total Pupils: 358
Opened: 01-01-1951
Ofsted:
Head Master: Joseph Smith
The Oratory School
Woodcote

Oxfordshire
RG8 0PJ
Telephone: 01491683500
Website: https://www.oratory.co.uk

Webpage image for The Oratory School
AccreditationExpiryDate:
Address3: South Oxfordshire
AdministrativeWard (code): E05011712
AdministrativeWard (name): Woodcote & Rotherfield
AdmissionsPolicy (code): 0
AdmissionsPolicy (name): Not applicable
BSOInspectorateName (name): Not applicable
Boarders (code): 3
Boarders (name): Boarding school
BoardingEstablishment (name): Has boarders
CCF (name): Not applicable
CHNumber:
CensusDate: 20-01-2022
CloseDate:
Country (name): United Kingdom
County (name): Oxfordshire
DateOfLastInspectionVisit:
Diocese (code): 0000
Diocese (name): Not applicable
DistrictAdministrative (code): E07000179
DistrictAdministrative (name): South Oxfordshire
EBD (name): Not applicable
Easting: 465410
EdByOther (name): Not applicable
EstablishmentAccredited (code): 0
EstablishmentAccredited (name): Not applicable
EstablishmentName: The Oratory School
EstablishmentNumber: 6034
EstablishmentStatus (code): 1
EstablishmentStatus (name): Open
EstablishmentTypeGroup (code): 3
EstablishmentTypeGroup (name): Independent schools
FEHEIdentifier:
FSM: 0
FTProv (name):
FederationFlag (name): Not applicable
Federations (code):
Federations (name):
FurtherEducationType (name): Not applicable
GOR (code): J
GOR (name): South East
GSSLACode (name): E10000025
Gender (code): 3
Gender (name): Mixed
HeadFirstName: Joseph
HeadLastName: Smith
HeadPreferredJobTitle: Head Master
HeadTitle (name): Mr
InspectorateName (name): ISI
InspectorateReport:
LA (code): 931
LA (name): Oxfordshire
LSOA (code): E01028686
LSOA (name): South Oxfordshire 018F
LastChangedDate: 31-05-2023
Locality: Reading
MSOA (code): E02005975
MSOA (name): South Oxfordshire 018
NextInspectionVisit:
Northing: 181891
NumberOfBoys: 266
NumberOfGirls: 92
NumberOfPupils: 358
NurseryProvision (name): No Nursery Classes
OfficialSixthForm (code): 1
OfficialSixthForm (name): Has a sixth form
OfstedLastInsp:
OfstedRating (name):
OfstedSpecialMeasures (code): 0
OfstedSpecialMeasures (name): Not applicable
OpenDate: 01-01-1951
ParliamentaryConstituency (code): E14000742
ParliamentaryConstituency (name): Henley
PercentageFSM: 0.0
PhaseOfEducation (code): 0
PhaseOfEducation (name): Not applicable
PlacesPRU:
Postcode: RG8 0PJ
PreviousEstablishmentNumber:
PreviousLA (code): 999
PreviousLA (name):
PropsName:
QABName (code): 0
QABName (name): Not applicable
QABReport:
RSCRegion (name): North-West London and South-Central England
ReasonEstablishmentClosed (code): 00
ReasonEstablishmentClosed (name): Not applicable
ReasonEstablishmentOpened (code): 00
ReasonEstablishmentOpened (name): Not applicable
ReligiousCharacter (code): 03
ReligiousCharacter (name): Roman Catholic
ReligiousEthos (name): Roman Catholic
ResourcedProvisionCapacity:
ResourcedProvisionOnRoll:
SEN1 (name):
SEN10 (name):
SEN11 (name):
SEN12 (name):
SEN13 (name):
SEN2 (name):
SEN3 (name):
SEN4 (name):
SEN5 (name):
SEN6 (name):
SEN7 (name):
SEN8 (name):
SEN9 (name):
SENNoStat: 94
SENPRU (name): Not applicable
SENStat: 0
SchoolCapacity: 450
SchoolSponsorFlag (name): Not applicable
SchoolSponsors (name):
SchoolWebsite: www.oratory.co.uk
Section41Approved (name): Not approved
SenUnitCapacity:
SenUnitOnRoll:
SiteName:
SpecialClasses (code): 2
SpecialClasses (name): No Special Classes
StatutoryHighAge: 18
StatutoryLowAge: 11
Street: Woodcote
TeenMoth (name): Not applicable
TeenMothPlaces:
TelephoneNum: 01491683500
Town:
TrustSchoolFlag (code): 0
TrustSchoolFlag (name): Not applicable
Trusts (code):
Trusts (name):
TypeOfEstablishment (code): 11
TypeOfEstablishment (name): Other independent school
TypeOfResourcedProvision (name):
UKPRN: 10013992
UPRN: 10033006626
URN: 123282
UrbanRural (code): D1
UrbanRural (name): (England/Wales) Rural town and fringe
id: 23269

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nationalPhoneNumber: "01491 683500"
internationalPhoneNumber: "+44 1491 683500"
formattedAddress: "Reading RG8 0PJ, UK"
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location: {"latitude":51.5321466,"longitude":-1.0584135}
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rating: 4.5
googleMapsUri: "https:\/\/maps.google.com\/?cid=12585114206882684981"
websiteUri: "http:\/\/oratory.co.uk\/"
utcOffsetMinutes: 60
adrFormatAddress: "Reading<\/span> RG8 0PJ<\/span>, UK<\/span>"
businessStatus: "OPERATIONAL"
userRatingCount: 89
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wheelchairAccessibleEntrance: true
reviews: [{"relativePublishTimeDescription":"a year ago","rating":4,"text":{"text":"As an NHS worker: a good school that is friendly to outsiders.\n\nOne major grumble is that the Sports Hall was VERY COLD. Sure: we should ventilate for COVID-19, but I've never felt so cold (and I cycle to work). \u00f0\u009f\u00a5\u00b6\n\nAlso a suggestion: I came in via the back entrance (X40 bus stop) and was baffled as to where Reception was. More signs for visitors would be great.\n\nReceptionist kindly let me use a room for reading while I waited for a bus, and the pupils and staff were all friendly. Liked the Catholic ethos and the extensive grounds. Also lots of parking and near a regular X40 bus route.","languageCode":"en"},"originalText":{"text":"As an NHS worker: a good school that is friendly to outsiders.\n\nOne major grumble is that the Sports Hall was VERY COLD. Sure: we should ventilate for COVID-19, but I've never felt so cold (and I cycle to work). \u00f0\u009f\u00a5\u00b6\n\nAlso a suggestion: I came in via the back entrance (X40 bus stop) and was baffled as to where Reception was. More signs for visitors would be great.\n\nReceptionist kindly let me use a room for reading while I waited for a bus, and the pupils and staff were all friendly. Liked the Catholic ethos and the extensive grounds. Also lots of parking and near a regular X40 bus route.","languageCode":"en"},"authorAttribution":{"displayName":"Tim Patmore","uri":"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/contrib\/112197008819179986209\/reviews","photoUri":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/a-\/AD_cMMTQqFPLYa5VnDI7lus5V5DJZspX6XPveIYUgLbv3ysO0i4=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo-ba6"},"publishTime":"2022-07-20T17:46:37Z"},{"relativePublishTimeDescription":"5 years ago","rating":5,"text":{"text":"Edit: utter lies that the school are buying reviews. It\u00e2\u0080\u0099s alumni and boys who love their school.\n\nLovely school with a fantastic sense of camaraderie. The staff are so considerate and often help my boy outside of class time with his work. He\u00e2\u0080\u0099s excelling at physics and Latin and he\u00e2\u0080\u0099s loving real tennis at the moment. Hope to be able to send my second son here too one day when he gets older!","languageCode":"en"},"originalText":{"text":"Edit: utter lies that the school are buying reviews. It\u00e2\u0080\u0099s alumni and boys who love their school.\n\nLovely school with a fantastic sense of camaraderie. The staff are so considerate and often help my boy outside of class time with his work. He\u00e2\u0080\u0099s excelling at physics and Latin and he\u00e2\u0080\u0099s loving real tennis at the moment. Hope to be able to send my second son here too one day when he gets older!","languageCode":"en"},"authorAttribution":{"displayName":"Keith Gavin","uri":"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/contrib\/105462408682177207917\/reviews","photoUri":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/a\/AAcHTtcXaUHLB4aznz9G6sQ_-fafgifeU5yAi8gfV9lQ1SgW=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo"},"publishTime":"2018-05-14T19:38:41Z"},{"relativePublishTimeDescription":"5 years ago","rating":5,"text":{"text":"People should not jump to conclusions about the Oratory. Being quick to dispel any myths about \u00e2\u0080\u0098fake reviews\u00e2\u0080\u0099, I personally know and have interacted with all these current boys that have posted reviews, whether it be through sport or culture. I\u00e2\u0080\u0099m glad to see they continue to flourish and excel.\nWe are a close-knit family. I could tell you something about every boy that has posted a review on here and as to why their success owes gratitude to the Oratory.\nHaving been a part of this wonderful, diverse community for 5 years, I owe so much to the school. I was encouraged to get involved with as many things as I could; through this I got to know so many different kinds of people from all over the world - whether it be through music, through CCF, shooting, societies or drama to name a few. Opportunities are endless - everyone wants to get involved and interact with each other, which is great to see.\nPersonally, I was particularly interested in getting to know some of the Spanish boys as I found their culture and history fascinating. They encouraged me to start studying Spanish. I am now studying this at degree level!\nWe are a diverse, cultural family that wants to give everyone an equal opportunity to thrive in whatever they set their sights on. I started shooting at the Oratory having never touched a firearm before; I now compete at a national level, something I thought would never have been possible.\nHaving always been an overweight person, I decided to start losing weight in the new year of my U6 (2017). All the boys and staff supported me on my journey to successfully achieve more than a 45kg weight loss. This is our family - we support each other and guide each other.\nThe Oratory is a truly wonderful place, full of some of the most down to earth chaps I have ever met. Just like a family under Newman, our founder, we speak from \u00e2\u0080\u0098heart to heart\u00e2\u0080\u0099.\nWe have not been forced to write reviews on here. It shows our commitment to dispel any unnecessary allegations, and to uphold the nature of the school.","languageCode":"en"},"originalText":{"text":"People should not jump to conclusions about the Oratory. Being quick to dispel any myths about \u00e2\u0080\u0098fake reviews\u00e2\u0080\u0099, I personally know and have interacted with all these current boys that have posted reviews, whether it be through sport or culture. I\u00e2\u0080\u0099m glad to see they continue to flourish and excel.\nWe are a close-knit family. I could tell you something about every boy that has posted a review on here and as to why their success owes gratitude to the Oratory.\nHaving been a part of this wonderful, diverse community for 5 years, I owe so much to the school. I was encouraged to get involved with as many things as I could; through this I got to know so many different kinds of people from all over the world - whether it be through music, through CCF, shooting, societies or drama to name a few. Opportunities are endless - everyone wants to get involved and interact with each other, which is great to see.\nPersonally, I was particularly interested in getting to know some of the Spanish boys as I found their culture and history fascinating. They encouraged me to start studying Spanish. I am now studying this at degree level!\nWe are a diverse, cultural family that wants to give everyone an equal opportunity to thrive in whatever they set their sights on. I started shooting at the Oratory having never touched a firearm before; I now compete at a national level, something I thought would never have been possible.\nHaving always been an overweight person, I decided to start losing weight in the new year of my U6 (2017). All the boys and staff supported me on my journey to successfully achieve more than a 45kg weight loss. This is our family - we support each other and guide each other.\nThe Oratory is a truly wonderful place, full of some of the most down to earth chaps I have ever met. Just like a family under Newman, our founder, we speak from \u00e2\u0080\u0098heart to heart\u00e2\u0080\u0099.\nWe have not been forced to write reviews on here. It shows our commitment to dispel any unnecessary allegations, and to uphold the nature of the school.","languageCode":"en"},"authorAttribution":{"displayName":"Charlie Dart","uri":"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/contrib\/107118026050791585801\/reviews","photoUri":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/a-\/AD_cMMTs5SVhb_aHanv2VwmMQUCUb0Yeq3DYtI5EDC6VVuo7sCg=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo"},"publishTime":"2018-05-14T23:02:16Z"},{"relativePublishTimeDescription":"5 years ago","rating":5,"text":{"text":"It\u00e2\u0080\u0099s a shame to see so many slanderous lies on this platform about the school. If you are looking for a trusted review, look no further:\n\nThe Oratory School in Woodcote is a lovely school to be in. It has beautiful grounds, including a golf course and a great cricket pitch. The ground staff do a very good job of keeping the grounds looking very picturesque, which is very hard with a school of this size.\n\nThe school has many teaching facilities, and uses resources such as Educake, GCSEPod and Kahoot! to enhance learning and revision. I myself have found these very helpful, especially in the run up to the exams, and must commend Mr O Lewis, Head of Physics, for incorporating these into lessons seamlessly.\n\nAs well as great teaching facilities, the sports facilities are arguably the best in the area, with a brand new swimming pool, 3 squash courts, 2 gyms, a large sports hall and a real tennis court, one of the 43 remaining courts in the world. The school has very successful sports teams and I would definitely recommend attending for the sport alone.\n\nThere are also many extra-curricular activities available, such as the Windhover Society (debating), and activities including Languages Film Club, where we learn about cultures and languages through the art of film. Music is also very strong at The Oratory. The choir visits foreign countries on tour, most recently Hong Kong and before that New York, and they perform in concerts around the country. Mr S Burrows, the Head of Music and Sixth Form, is a credit to the school with his musical expertise and enthusiastic nature.\n\nMy only criticism of the school is that they are a little behind on the computing front. This has affected me personally as I wanted to do computer science for GCSE, however the school did not offer it, though they are improving rapidly and have since added computer sciences to their curriculum.\n\nThe positives of attending this school really do outweigh the negatives, and I assure you that the school does not condone racism or anything of the sort, and there is a very comprehensive safeguarding policy in place. I would recommend this school to anyone who is looking for a secondary school or sixth form college for their child, as this is a great school and the people are lovely!","languageCode":"en"},"originalText":{"text":"It\u00e2\u0080\u0099s a shame to see so many slanderous lies on this platform about the school. If you are looking for a trusted review, look no further:\n\nThe Oratory School in Woodcote is a lovely school to be in. It has beautiful grounds, including a golf course and a great cricket pitch. The ground staff do a very good job of keeping the grounds looking very picturesque, which is very hard with a school of this size.\n\nThe school has many teaching facilities, and uses resources such as Educake, GCSEPod and Kahoot! to enhance learning and revision. I myself have found these very helpful, especially in the run up to the exams, and must commend Mr O Lewis, Head of Physics, for incorporating these into lessons seamlessly.\n\nAs well as great teaching facilities, the sports facilities are arguably the best in the area, with a brand new swimming pool, 3 squash courts, 2 gyms, a large sports hall and a real tennis court, one of the 43 remaining courts in the world. The school has very successful sports teams and I would definitely recommend attending for the sport alone.\n\nThere are also many extra-curricular activities available, such as the Windhover Society (debating), and activities including Languages Film Club, where we learn about cultures and languages through the art of film. Music is also very strong at The Oratory. The choir visits foreign countries on tour, most recently Hong Kong and before that New York, and they perform in concerts around the country. Mr S Burrows, the Head of Music and Sixth Form, is a credit to the school with his musical expertise and enthusiastic nature.\n\nMy only criticism of the school is that they are a little behind on the computing front. This has affected me personally as I wanted to do computer science for GCSE, however the school did not offer it, though they are improving rapidly and have since added computer sciences to their curriculum.\n\nThe positives of attending this school really do outweigh the negatives, and I assure you that the school does not condone racism or anything of the sort, and there is a very comprehensive safeguarding policy in place. I would recommend this school to anyone who is looking for a secondary school or sixth form college for their child, as this is a great school and the people are lovely!","languageCode":"en"},"authorAttribution":{"displayName":"Jacob Clayden","uri":"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/contrib\/116065627065876446986\/reviews","photoUri":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/a-\/AD_cMMQZQahMYqIm3WPQVdzTIo4c9MuwxY3yPDdtKwrGStGa5Q=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo"},"publishTime":"2018-05-12T10:43:42Z"},{"relativePublishTimeDescription":"5 years ago","rating":5,"text":{"text":"Proud Asian studying rlly hard. Fantastic and perfect environment for overseas student! Great school! Fantastic sporting facilities as well!!","languageCode":"en"},"originalText":{"text":"Proud Asian studying rlly hard. Fantastic and perfect environment for overseas student! Great school! Fantastic sporting facilities as well!!","languageCode":"en"},"authorAttribution":{"displayName":"Masa Moriyama","uri":"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/contrib\/105610166737109296172\/reviews","photoUri":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/a-\/AD_cMMTxG0uTxSZh_ECSrq1h8su11rr-97iKBCSD9NPXlOBwJio=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo"},"publishTime":"2018-05-12T10:50:10Z"}]